Articles

This book would not have been possible without our small business champion—BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts.

“I love how close-knit Columbia is as a community,” Megan said. “My fiancé and his family are from Columbia, and his family has been here for generations. They have family friends that they have known for generations, and I think that’s so unique. It makes you realize how special this town is and makes you want to raise a family here.”

It’s a season full of love—from giving gifts to your loved ones to gathering and celebrating your love with friends and family—and we couldn’t do it without the extraordinary local small businesses in our community. Turn the pages to meet these businesses that have put their hearts into everything that they have done this year to bring happiness, joy, and laughter to our lives.

Learn more about our 2020 Social Mission Partner: Home Works of America

Making an impact on our community and its future: Alex English

Sharing her love of Columbia throughout our state and beyond: Kim Jamieson

Hope for every generation
Through the eyes of children who are just beginning to see the world to the eyes of those that have lived through and seen it all, we are seeing hope emerge in Columbia. Dive into this issue to see where we have found hope this fall: it comes in the form of inspiring local artwork, resilient entrepreneurs, and from those who call our vibrant city home.

When she finds a cause that she’s passionate about, Nephron Pharmaceuticals CEO Lou Kennedy doesn’t hold back. She dives in headfirst and begins brainstorming solutions and opportunities, she ignites conversations with decision-makers, and she is relentless in her pursuit of solving the issue.

Show your love for South Carolina, and for the hope and resiliency of our community with our Dum Spiro Spero t-shirts, stickers, and letterpressed cards and prints. Wear your shirt with pride, place your vinyl sticker on the door to your business, and put your sticker in a spot that you’ll see it every day. It’s our reminder to you that Columbia will be back, stronger than ever, because of the strength of our community.

Each July, families and friends gather up and down South Carolina’s coastline to celebrate Independence Day together. With their American flags, beach towels, patriotic-themed attire, and their favorite beach games, they flock to the shores to spend a day in the sand and in the sun.

Today, our Dum Spiro Spero issue of Fig Columbia hits mailboxes across the region, and I want our beautiful community to know that we had no idea that the theme of our summer issue—“Hope”—would be so relevant during the recent developments of the #icantbreathe and #blacklivesmatter movements.